Comments on: Babylon Cowboys

By: ellerycELlery

ellerycELlery — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:24:23 +0000

Ditto what “FOX” said, from someone in the same profession.
Don’t lie, don’t consent, just keep your mouth closed, and your attitude pleasant.
2011 Burn, I plan to display “Playa Patrol,” seven large four-panel cartoons, either at 6:30 and Esplanade, or at Center Camp. – cELlery (Pleasure Garden)

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By: H3RETIC

H3RETIC — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:32:01 +0000

Monitor them. They monitor us. We have no real credible statistical data to suggest that they aren’t overstepping… What, we’re gonna trust their reporting? Yes some are nice. Yes it’s good they are there when camp Douchebag births a new black swan. But if stopped, I would feel a hell of a lot better if I looked past them and saw you, brother or sister, standing behind them…reminding me that I do have rights, and my people have my back.
Oh and we should have monitors monitor the monitors. You know, in case they are infiltrated… All joking aside… A Playan Mob Squad would be the shit. [H3RETIC]

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By: Max

Max — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:28:32 +0000

IMHO in the best case scenario after meeting with cops you will be in the position you started from in the first place – they are not at the playa for the reason you’re there for, whatever your reason might be.
And this is the _best_ case.
They may be more or less harmless, however I see no point in pushing my luck getting in contact with them in any shape or form.
Don’t trouble trouble…

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By: drutter

drutter — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 20:19:30 +0000

Sadly, a lot of sheeple in here, begging for more control from “above” to protect them from themselves. Radical self reliance has to take a back seat to the police state, like everything else, I guess.
Funny, I don’t see NEGATIVE law enforcement stories posted on the front page. And I know that’s not because there aren’t thousands of them.
That said, well written post.

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By: Dawne McCubbing

Dawne McCubbing — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:58:13 +0000

My campmates and I took shelter from the huge storm that ended in the double rainbow 3 (4?) years ago on an open topped double decker bus out in the middle of the playa. The guys went straight upstairs as we were more looking to get out of the way of blinded vehicles than of the dust, but my girlfriend and I stayed downstairs to catch our breath and met a great friendly guy who gave us a shot each and we got chatting.

We asked him how many burns this was for him, and he smiled and said it was his first as a participant, but his 3rd Burn, as he had been a law enforcement officer for 2 before that. For a second we were a little wary, but he expressed the same sentiment as the guys Jon talks about above. That there are dangerous people and vulnerable people in any crowd this size, and above all they are here to keep us safe. He had loved the Burn from his very first moment, loved the vibe of the participants and was LOVING the experience of being there without any responsibilities. We parted over an hour later with hugs and photos.

Kill them with kindness, treat them like the people they are, and they will join us :)

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By: JayhooRay

JayhooRay — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:44:17 +0000

Last year I rode through a bad scene…couldn’t tell quite what but it felt trashy and full of booze in the wrong way. I wasn’t in any position to intervene in a beneficial way…nor did anyone else seem to be. A few minutes later, from the top of the Man or the Ant Farm…can’t remember which…I saw the flashing lights arrive at the scene. Later, I chose to ride back to the scene and talked to some LEOs on quads. I asked them what it was like to do law enforcement or public safety on the playa. The response I got was thoughtful, reasoned, and formal…in short, professional. It was exactly what everyone around two drunk dudes with something/nothing to prove pounding on each other and anyone in reach required. It was why we have cops…and why when I’m in other countries sometimes…I miss American cops. Fo Sho…some of those people in the default world are dicks…and I’ve had friends busted for lame shit on the playa…but in the messy balance of life it seems like a little law enforcement on the playa might be better than some of the alternatives. As cool as we are even with maps and guns at our back we still can’t just behave ourselves… until we can figure out how to employ professional handlers we’re stuck with cops.

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By: Jon Mitchell

Jon Mitchell — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:48:31 +0000

Wonderful comments, everybody. Thanks for reading! I’m enjoying all the incredible BM photo albums in your links.

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By: cellery valley

cellery valley — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:26:39 +0000

At a SoCal BeachBurn, a l.e.o. told us to decamp because of alcohol. As a criminal defense attorney, I pleasantly asserted that no one had been drinking (because I didn’t see anyone drinking). The Ranger shined his flashlite down; at my feet (but not mine) was a clear plastic bag with beer in it. Embarrassed, I thanked the guy for his courtesy (no citations, no searches, no hassle). Everyone left after teasing me about boasting about how clean we were … with beer at my feet.

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By: Duane

Duane — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:06:54 +0000

Well, yes and no. As a former LAPD officer, I’ve witnessed some really bad cop behavior. Not a few are drawn to that line of work for the opportunity to exert power over others in the guise of authority. For sure, treat cops like humans and the encounter will play out least badly. But always be on guard, lest you be brushing up against one who would take advantage of your situation. Best to avoid them if there’s any potential for you to be taken down, rightly or wrongly. I’m just sayin… as a guy who used to wear blue but over 6 Burns prefers to freak.

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By: YNOT

YNOT — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:26:40 +0000

Hi there,

I met a BLM officer at Opulent Temple last year and he was really cool. He also seemed very relieved to be talking to me and was impressed with the good vibes of the night. He said he would like to come at some point, but now he was working.

I really felt as though he was here to protect us and the playa, not to “try and get us.” I wish there were more like him around…

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